Save Her

"ANZU!!!" Bakugou screamed, but everything stopped. Slowly he watched. Watched as the crimson fell from her mouth. Watched when the metal became visible from her abdomen. Watched as her expression went from stunned to pained. He didn't know what it was, nothing like before. Never in his life had he felt this feeling. Her. It was her. All that mattered focused on her. Something panged in the back of his head, not painful but strong. He moved forward without hesitating, wanting nothing but one thing. I want her in my arms. Where I can see her. Where they can't touch her. Where no one can touch her. Because she's mine. Bakugou growled as he let out all of his anger in the form of an explosion. The villain in his path was blown into the wall with such force it shook the building. He saw scattered and bruised bodies, strewn across the floor, motionless. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was he wanted to feel her next to him. Where those fuckers can't reach her. He took out another villain without thinking, making his way to her with incredible speed as everyone in his path was blown away. Like an animal, he ripped and pushed and fought until he reached her, destroying everything in the way. He reached out, grasping her arm with such force he saw her wince. This only made him grab tighter, he pulled her in, steadying her wait as her legs failed her. But something was odd. She was paralyzed with pain and shock, but something was keeping her away. He pulled again, but she sucked in air through her teeth, deep pain in her eyes covering her whole expression. That was when he saw the hand. He looked up to see the villain. The villain that stabbed her still had his fist around the knife. Clutching it with frozen fingers. When Bakugou pulled her into him, he had removed the weapon a bit. He began to feel his arm shake as rage welled up so deep, not the kind he was used to. Not common anger. He wasn't angry he was furious. He smiled, slowly grabbing the arm of the villain, feeling his wrist in his giant glove. Tried to pull it off but it didn't budge. The villain stared at him, terror streaming from his eyes. Bakugou tried again, and felt Anzu jump and cry out as the knife dug deeper the more he moved it. She was shaking violently, paralyzed with her situation, it looked as if simply breathing was painful. More red poured from her mouth, down her neck. Bakugou was acting as a crutch now, she couldn't support her own weight. Bakugou took the wrist in a firm grip, the villains arm shaking as he tried to escape the hold. Bakugou leaned in close.

"I'm sorry Anzu. Hold your breath okay?" He said softly, smiling at the villain once more. Bakugou squeezed, felt the bone crack like a piece of candy. Heard the deafening scream, but it was far away. All he heard was Anzu whimper when the knife switched position no doubt cutting into more muscle. Bakugou stared at the knife, looking confident but feeling helpless. He knew he had to leave it in. If he took it out, she would lose way too much blood before they were saved, but the longer he left it in the more painful it grew. If he was honest with himself he was scarred. He didn't want to lose her. Anyone but her. He had lied to himself for so long. Just a clingy nuisance he would think. But she stayed. Unlike everyone else, she stayed of her own volition. For no damn reason. She stayed with a bastard like him, and look what happened. If I just hadn't called out her name. If I hadn't distracted her. She wouldn't be in so much pain. She wouldn't be... Bakugou swallowed the thought down hard. Didn't look at her. Just kept her close, forcing the shaking to stop the best of his ability. The room had fallen silent, villains staring like vultures at their wounded prey. Bakugou turned his back to the villain holding his crushed wrist.

"Stop fucking screaming. I broke your wrist I didn't fucking stab you!" He yelled, whipping around and silencing him with one of his gauntlet explosions. He turned away from the smoking head and just stared at the room full of monsters. He felt Anzu jump, noticed she was looking over her shoulder, whipped his head away when he saw her left eye was open.

"What are you..." Bakugou looked behind him. A villain lay in a heap on the ground. Still breathing, but unconscious. The villain had tried to sneak up on him while his attention was elsewhere, Anzu had his back even in this state. Bakugou smiled more confidently then he ever thought he could muster. "Moron. Stop using your power you'll strain yourself." He spat, but still softly. Anzu looked like she wanted to smile but she couldn't quite focus. Bakugou felt sick to his stomach, still seeing the brass hilt sticking out of her back. "It's gonna be fine. Just stay awake." Anzu gave the best nod she could, widening her eyes as another villain started off the fight. I can't fight all of them. Especially not with a wounded ally. I need to find somewhere to hide so I can page Aizawa. Bakugou jumped away from an attack, feeling the remnants cut into his arm. Bit his lip, when he saw Anzu grimace from the movement. This was going to be hell, it wasn't like he could just put her down. He dodged to the left, exploding someone from behind and kicking another with the back of his heel. All of his movements were kept short due to his positioning. Bakugou dodged another attack, but landed clumsily, due to a jab to the ribs from Anzu.

"Hey! Wh-" He looked down to see his shirt stained completely red, Anzu sat there, the dagger in hand. She was shaking uncontrollably, but she clung to it, a deep seeded stubbornness in her eyes. "What are you fucking insane!? Gimme that!" Bakugou shouted, exploding a villain and ripping the dagger from her palm, using it to stab another one to his left. "Are you trying to kill yourself faste-"

"Put me down." Anzu moved rigidly but was attempting to get up. Bakugou looked at her like she needed to be put in an insane asylum. This chick is fucking nuts. She just ripped a knife out of her back and now she wants to stand up. Where does Aizawa even find these lunatics? Bakugou grabbed her arm tighter and pulled her closer, setting off a chain of explosions on multiple targets.

"No. Your being delusional." He said, pushing up against a wall to shield from a fire attack.

"Bakugou now! Give me your arm!" Anzu shouted. He had never heard her voice genuinely angry. It made even him, shudder. Bakugou stared deeply into her face, fighting inside himself on what to do. Thinking while she punched someone in the jawline. "Ugh damn it you're so slow!" Anzu yelled, practically jumping out of his arms. He tried to grab her again but was slapped away. "Give me your arm hurry up!" She said, swinging unsteadily behind him and locking her arm with his so she could stand up on her own. "Trust me just this once." He couldn't see her expression but he could tell she was thinking hard. Her eye was following one thing, and soon he noticed what.

"I see what your playing at but were lucky if we get out with our lives. That's a stretch." He grunted, shifting his weight and throwing a villain to the side, feeling uncomfortable as the blood from Anzu's back soaked into the back of his hero costume.

"Just follow my lead. Get the attention, I'll do the rest." Anzu ordered, and Bakugou heard something hit the ground. He twisted just in time to see her eye patch close, a seven foot Nomu, lying on the ground crawling with it's arms. "I just shut off the legs, and it will ware off in ten minutes so we better do this quickly!" Anzu twisted around to the front of Bakugou, right below the air pipe in the ceiling. It had the layout of a factory after all. Something told her that this air pipe wasn't just for show. He hoisted her up with one hand, letting her sit of his shoulder while defending with the other as she pried the pipe loose with her dagger. "Got it!" Anzu yelled, falling back into Bakugou's arms and he covered her from the spray of hot steam. Screams were heard all around and Anzu felt Bakugou tense and cringe as he was burned. Guilt washed over her but there was no time. She looked to the side, her vision blurry especially from the smoke and steam in the air. She saw the one she had been looking for. Anzu moved Bakugou off, breaking his grip on her shoulder and dragging herself towards the villain. Coughing and spluttering, Shiguraki stared at her with cold, beady eyes. Hatred burned like deep scars in his irises.

"You Bitch. This is only the beginning. Just wait, you'll beg for the chance to be a villain again! I'll make sure of it!" He stammered for words, but her expression was totally blank. Eerie and pained, she opened her eye patch. Bakugou couldn't see from where he was what she did. She seemed to say some curt words to him. Bent down, said it right next to his ear and his expression was one he would not soon forget. Then, all he saw was Shiguraki fall to the floor grasping his head. The rest was fuzzy. The sounds the sights, everything doused in hot steam. He was covered in burns from the scalding liquid, had knife injuries and all sorts of pain everywhere. Anzu stumbled her way back, Bakugou met her half way, jumping behind her and exploding a villain, catching her before her adrenaline finally ran out and the pain set in. He picked her up, grimacing from stretching his back out.

"Let's find somewhere safe. We can't get outside, but I saw a utility closet on the way here. I can page Aizawa, I just need you to make it there in one piece alright?" Bakugou asked, jumping over bodies and hurtling towards the staircase, his breathing growing hoarse from the slim amount of air. Anzu's breathing was strange and a weird look had settled over her expression. He was scared for her. Bakugou Katsuki, the up and coming hero know for overflowing with pride was scared. Genuinely scared.

Bakugou rested Anzu down on the tile floor, looking for the light switch, but finding nothing. All that he could see her by was a stream of light squeezed through the crack at the bottom of the door. He shut it behind himself, locking it from the inside and dragging a chair under it. The room was a small janitor's closet, barely big enough for one person, nevermind two. Once everything was secure and safe, he plopped down next to Anzu, ignoring the steadfast pain growing on his back. It would definitely scar over badly.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know the pipe would effect you directly or I wouldn't have suggested it." Anzu's voice was dry and hoarse. She sounded so disgustingly normal, but he knew her long enough to know something was very wrong.

"It was worth it. Were safe for the time being. That's all that matters." Bakugou reached into his pocket and pulled out the remote. He paged Aizawa several times until he got an answer. He set it down next to him and turned to Anzu, his stomach sinking deeper and deeper. Blood began to run through the cracks in the tile, all her garments were soaked, as well as his. He was shocked she hadn't run dry at this point. Bakugou got shakily to his feet, checking under the door as footsteps raced through the hall. The walls were thinner than he had realized, and a heavy rainstorm started to pour outside. The thunder shook the floor, distant but powerful. Bakugou was able to find some rags and a first aid kit nearly out of supplies. He returned and kneeled down next to her, forcing his hand to go into a glowing state and locating the stab wound.

"I'm going to do my best to stop the bleeding but it's only temporary. Try not to move too much." Bakugou ripped a rag in half and pressed it to the wound, the lead in his stomach growing heavier when she jumped. The fact she didn't speak, cry out, or make any noise had his head full of worry. He pulled his hand away, the white rag drenched and soaked in blood. The wound was ridiculously deep, but thin. No where vital, and it seemed the villain had terrible aim. It was just below the rib cage, and off centered so much that it would take a while for her to bleed out. Or fatal... yet. However, it had already been a while. He rested another rag to it, noticing her motion became much less rigid.

"Can I ask you something?" Anzu's face wasn't visible under the hood of her cloak, but he could still see an ivory piece of skin under it, caked with red but such a dull ivory. Even paler than her normal tone.

"What?" He said, continuing to work tediously, losing hope by the second. For a janitor's closet, they had little to no cleaning supply.

"Why did you bother to come?" Her voice was so empty. He was sick and tired of searching for something, sick and tired of hearing her so... screwed up.

"Why the fuck wouldn't I? You got kidnapped and I'm a hero. It's my job." He hissed, using too much force and feeling guilty immediately afterwords.

"And you saw the bodies didn't you?"

"Yeah. I saw. That isn't important right now, and you shouldn't focus on it. We'll deal with it later..." Bakugou continued, the silence growing tangible as the thunder blurred out the conversation. Her shaking had started back up again, and no mater what the blood just kept coming. In the end, he wound up tearing her cloak into strips and tying it around her waist, hoping it would slow the inevitable. It was a crappy job even for him, they hadn't exactly reached the injury training section of their curriculum so it was all an educated guess. Still, she wouldn't speak, give any indication she was upset. She just sat there, her face covered, shaking from the pain. He had never felt so useless in his life.

"Aizawa should turn up soon. It's going to be fine so don't worry." Bakugou said after several minutes, keeping his palm pressed against the wound. There wasn't an answer. "You're not fine... are you?" He asked, burning his gaze into her hood and trying to find an expression.

"I'm going to be fine. That's all that matters." She said, lifting up her arm and resting it on her nose bridge.

"Who gives a shit what you're going to be. I'm talking about right now. Don't dodge the question." He grumbled, grabbing her arm when he heard voices outside. They were already looking for them. As he thought, they had all assumed they had gone outside. They didn't think to look in their own building.

"I'm fine."

"Liar."

"I'm not lying."

"Tell me the truth."

"I am."

"No. You're not." Bakugou stopped when the shaking grew into a full blown trembling and just when he feared he pushed too hard, he saw a bead of water roll down her cheek. Wiping away the crimson and leaving a streak of ivory in it's wake. He propped himself up on one arm, slowly growing desperate over what to do. This had never happened to him. What do normal people do when girls cry? He hated it when girls cried. Only girls though, never guys and he didn't know why. It was a common way to feel, but he still didn't get it, or understand how to stop it. He felt himself growing flustered by the second, thinking of something to say but coming up blank. He wasn't good with sympathizing, or people that were upset. He couldn't relate so he simply ignored it, but now it was screaming in his face and he was totally ill prepared. Bakugou had always made it a goal to make sure he was prepared for everything... no matter what. And here he was, utterly useless sitting here like a moron. He got angry when he was upset, tried to destroy things unlike everyone else. He half expected a girl like her to burst into tears and share a sob story, but the silence was almost worse than an ear full. Why did she insist on lying so often? "Sorry. You're probably in pain I shouldn't have said anything." He said, feeling heat rise to his cheeks. It was odd, but under the cloak he saw her smile.

"It's funny yeno? How is it that your the most abrasive person I've ever met yet you care about me more than anyone else. I just don't get it. Why stick with me? I was bad news from the start." She broke into a giggle, and he could tell she was trying to laugh instead of cry and it wasn't working.

"No. You stuck with me. That alone should be enough reason. If you can put up with someone like me... Well then that already makes you a lot better than a lot of people. And you're not as sucky to be around as you think." He said, growing uncomfortable the more she tried to laugh it off.

"Now I think you're the liar." She said, moving her sleeve down and covering her face completely when the tears started coming down heavier. Bakugou quickly learned words would mean nothing to her. It was no surprise really. Words didn't work well on him either. He began to feel self conscious about the decision he was about to make and had to remind himself that no one could match his confidence. Bakugou pressed his back up against the wall, gently moving his hands and pulling her in front of him. She protested a bit but in the end fell silent, focused only on covering her face. He let her rest against his shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist keeping his hand on the wound. It was a sort of awkward hug, but it did seem to help. It was also a bit satisfying to finally see her stop shaking. He had to grasp her hard enough but eventually she gave in and relaxed a bit. He didn't know if it would work, it was honestly just a guess. Luckily for him is was the correct one. He had also noticed the temperature had slowly started getting colder and colder. He had heard a conversation outside the door, saying that they turned the air conditioning on the highest setting so he would have trouble generating sweat. However that wasn't the issue. If it got cold enough, it could send her into shock which would be a nightmare and a half. In the end, this was killing two birds with one stone. Anzu finally removed her sleeve from her face, staring at the ground and swallowing her expression.

"It got really cold." She smiled, and laughed a bit. It was so fake he was starting to get annoyed at her lame excuses.

"Are you feeling cold? I need to know, if you go into shock I'll be pissed." He grumbled, pulling his grip tighter and feeling her next to him. He had never realized how much smaller she was.

"I'm fine." She said, trying to wipe away the small bits of water that just wouldn't stop coming. Bakugou finally lost it. He unlocked his grip and twisted her around, careful not to touch the wound, but she winced none the less.

"Look at me damn it! Why are you so... just... ugh... stop pretending with me!" He said, wiping a tear from under her eye, and ignoring her attempts to move away. "Stop being stupid and tell me what happened or I'm gonna lose my patience!" He hissed. Anzu smiled but still wouldn't look him in the eye.

"I-I just..." Anzu stuttered for words, seeming to get frustrated at herself. Fighting her desire to actually say something

"You just what!?" Anzu finally gave in.

"I just fucked up okay!? I don't know what to do! I've never cried before, I've never been stabbed, and I've never... I... I just don't know what's happening anymore! Okay!? I thought I had a normal life before this but now I'm having all these weird visions of a villain and I know how to fight for no reason and I just fucking killed someone!? I don't know!? I can't even remember! I can't remember anything! Why did you even come for me!?" She yelled, finally ignoring her image and letting herself cry in front of him. Tears washing away all the blood, and leaving her torn. Bakugou stared at her intently, trying to make sense of the barrage of words that was just thrown at him. Anzu blinked, more tears cascading down as she realized what she did. "I-.... I'm so sorry... I don't know what I... I'm just scared okay?... And I know that makes me weak! And I hate myself for it but I don't know how to make it sto-" Anzu grimaced and keeled over as the drying wound cracked open again. He had never seen her like this. Had never seen anyone like this. He didn't even know how to feel. He wanted so badly to fix it but everything was so messed up he felt it was beyond repair. Bakugou pulled her into him putting his hand back on the wound, and feeling a sigh of relief when her breathing steadied. It seemed the pressure and heat from his palms was helping.

"Stop yelling. You're gonna hurt yourself dipshit. It's okay. I get it. So stop worrying about what I think." He warmed up his hands and sat there... he didn't know what he was doing but it was working. She seemed to calm down a bit and he just let her stay there because he didn't have the heart to move. Honestly, he didn't want to. He didn't hate her presence and he sure as hell wasn't mad at her being so close. It kind of felt nice for someone to actually admit they were confused too. It was a good reminder that everyone's human. Everyone feels like shit. Some more than others, but besides the point, he was happy she finally stopped worrying about her image. It must have sucked. He could relate to it. Bakugou pulled tighter, starting to feel anxious. He could feel the blood had gone through the padding of her cloak and his glove. Her breathing was shallow. He thought of all the horrible things that could happen. What if she died in his arms... fear being her last thought. If she died not knowing that.... That what? He didn't quite understand. More like he knew, he just didn't want to believe it. Bakugou looked at her, stress completely taking over him.

"You're okay right?" He asked, sliding his hand to hers and resting it on her wrist. Her pulse was so sickeningly slow... Not here. Anywhere but here.

"Yeah..." She trailed off, staring at the floor, looking a bit dazed.

"Please stay awake. I can't lose you here. You don't understand." Bakugou found himself sounding desperate. He didn't care. He was afraid. He could lose the person that had somehow wormed their way into his life. Without her... without her... he would return to that. That disgusting person. Hated, ignored, horrible and cruel. He was so angry with himself for not realizing sooner how important she was. Somehow he had lost his barrier and become reliant on someone else. He let her in without even knowing it. He depended on her now. To keep him away from that person he despised so much.

"I'm not going to die. Stop panicking." She let out a shallow laugh and lifted a hand to his face. "Why are you so worried? It's not like you." She smiled, her voice balancing between a whisper. Bakugou grabbed her hand, her face becoming too much to look at. So... so disgustingly pale and stained. It made him physically sick. He thought he would be mad, furious even, alive with rage. Nothing like that. He was scarred. Scared of losing her in this disgusting place.

"Please! Just tell me your fine damn it!"

"I can't do that. No more lies remember?" Anzu laughed at the sarcasm, ended in a hoarse cough that sent snakes up his spine.

"Stop... just... I don't want to lose you. You have so much to do. I don't want you to die afraid." Bakugou said, steadying his voice as it cracked and he was starting to shake from the adrenaline.

"I'm not scared anymore Bakugou." She said, her voice flowing with bruised confidence. They had switched places.

"Why!?" He growled, his anger returning to it's disgusting state.

"Because you care. That's enough you know?" She said, another bought of coughing taking her attention.

"I'm so sorry. This is my fault. My fault you're like this." He said, bringing her face closer. Debating. He wanted... he wanted to-

"Hey do me a favor? Shut up." Anzu grabbed the back of his head and pressed her lips to his. Feeling the shock when he was able to warm up her freezing temperature. What did she have to lose? He was right there... So damn close. She wasn't going to throw away her shot. She took a moment, it lasted a while. It was warm and sent butterflies through her frigid and empty stomach. So warm. Just like him. She expected him to turn away from shock, reject but but instead he returned it. And for once she felt so happy, after so long. Happy to have someone care enough to hold her up, just to care. For so long, she begged for the chance for someone to want her, not because she was strong or dangerous. Just because they liked her. The sucky, weak, horrible personality she had created. She tried to break away, but he kept there. And when he finally let go, she began to feel sick. Really sick. And her heart felt heavy when a crystal of water fell on her cheek, not her own. He was crying for her. She didn't deserve this. And she knew it.

"That was selfish. I'm sorry." She whispered, wiping the smudge of blood off his lips. He breathed in air, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her shoulder.

"Shut up. Please... not yet. Not now." Anzu felt a terrible guilt when he started crying silently. She never wanted to cause him pain. Then again... that was all she did. Maybe this was for the best. He could finally move on. He was too good for her anyway. A murderer didn't belong with a Hero. "I love you." Anzu's eye snapped wide open, ripped from her thoughts, and the shock nearly stopped her heart. Bleeding out or otherwise.

"Don't... Don't say that... You don't. You shouldn't." She said, her voice catching in her throat. Tears rolled down her cheeks. And the corners of her eyes grew darker and darker.

"Anzu... hurry." Bakugou grabbed her shoulder so hard it hurt, and he looked at her one final time, his eyes dark with a pain she never wanted to see again. Mirrored so perfectly in the crimson she found herself enthralled with.

"I... I love you... But you have to move on." Anzu lost control of her arm, and it fell to the side, and her vision drew a blank.

"No... NO!" Bakugou grabbed her arm, his own shaking. Her pulse was still beating. Slow. So slowly. So damn slowly. He told her he loved her. He didn't know why. Hell, he didn't even know what the words meant. But he loved her. Bakugou's spine snapped straight when the door smashed open, sending wood shrapnel throughout the room. Bakugou jumped to his feet, still holding Anzu in his arms. He could barely breathe he was so shocked. But whoever they were. They had better be prepared to lose their life. Every fucking person in the building better be ready to lose their life. Instead. Aizawa.

"Hurry up. They'll be here soon. We can still save her but we need to go! NOW!" Bakugou looked at her, then back at Aizawa. His legs nearly gave out at the words.

Save her?